Casimiro de Oliveira

Antonio Casimiro Pinto de Oliveira (September 8, 1907 - November 22, 1970): A Portuguese racing driver who became his nation's motorsport pioneer, competing in the golden age of Grand Prix racing before World War II and later becoming the first Portuguese driver connected to Formula One. His brother was Manoel de Oliveira, a famed film director who survived him by nearly 45 years. De Oliveira began his motorsport career in the 1930s, often driving alongside his brother, who briefly raced before transitioning to his legendary directing career. In 1937, Casimiro gained international attention by beating legendary drivers Tazio Nuvolari and Rudolf Hasse in a race at the Circuit International de Vila Real, a stunning achievement that caught the attention of Bugatti.

The French manufacturer invited him to race at the Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix in 1938, where he qualified last but drove a strong race to finish fifth, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest levels of pre-war racing. World War II halted his career, as it did for most drivers of that era. After the war, de Oliveira transitioned to sports car racing, winning the Portuguese Grand Prix in 1951 and finishing second in both 1952 and 1953, dominating his home country's premier race. At the end of 1953, he purchased a Ferrari 375MM and competed in the 12 Hours of Casablanca in December, though he retired after an accident.

In 1954, he raced the 375MM to victory at the Hedemora Grand Prix in Sweden and finished seventh in the Swedish Grand Prix. De Oliveira's most significant contribution to Portuguese motorsport history came in 1953 when he served as a test driver for Scuderia Ferrari. While testing the Ferrari 500 that competed in the 1952 and 1953 Formula One seasons, he became the first Portuguese driver to drive a car entered into the Formula One World Championship, a historic milestone for Portuguese motorsport. Though he never participated in a World Championship race himself, his connection to Ferrari and his pioneering role paved the way for future Portuguese drivers in Formula One.

De Oliveira passed away on November 22, 1970, remembered as Portugal's first true international racing star.